Bible Backdrop Matthew

Jacob, the patriarch who's name becomes Israel, has a history of not being fully obedient and running a very dysfunctional family. In this episode of Bible Backdrop, we see Jacob leave Laban, wrestle with God, reunite with Esau, not follow God's directions and then have his son's slaughter a Canaanite city. Jacob's story is one of constant failure, grace, and reconciliation. His story is both a warning and a beacon of hope for us. If you are enjoying Bible Backdrop, please leave a 5 star rating and review.

As we prepare for Easter, we often think about Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. But just how horrible was crucifixion? How did it affect the body of the person being crucified? What did Jesus go through before and during his time on the cross? In this Extra episode of Bible Backdrop, we look at some of the science and biology behind the crucifixion. When you read the Gospel stories, you will have a better understanding of what our Lord and Savior physically went through while on the cross to bear our sins.

The story of the birth of Israel continues with Isaac and his twin sons, Jacob and Esau. How did the older son come to serve the younger? How does Jacob live up to his name? Why was Esau rejected for the covenantal blessing? How was Jacob deceived into marrying the wrong sister? This episode of Bible Backdrop continues to cover the story of Israel's history by talking about the people that were instrumental in the founding of the nation.

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The Bible tells amazing personal stories, but what about the bigger picture? What was Israel's place in the world during Bible times? This episode is the first in the series looking at the history of Israel and it's place in the ancient world. This will give us context to when these events took place.

The first episode is all about Abraham with a little about Isaac and Ishmael. There's also some discussion about the formation of kingdoms and how it differed in the land of Canaan. While these are personal stories, they set the stage for what is to come in later episodes.

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The Feast of Weeks is designated as the third and final pilgrimage festival for Israelites and is described in Leviticus 23. Called Shavuot or Pentecost, it is known as a harvest festival, but becomes the day the church was founded in Acts 2. This episode of Bible Backdrop goes into some of the history and traditions surrounding this festival.

Merry Christmas everyone! December 8 marks the first day of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights. Most know that this involves lighting a menorah, but what are the origins of this festival? The last episode of Bible Backdrop for 2023 goes into the story and other details about Hanukkah. Why is it celebrated? How do Jews today celebrate? Why is it important?

If you are enjoying Bible Backdrop, please leave a 5-star rating and review. You can also send a question to the e-mail address listed in the episode. Have a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!